You are here
Species
Circus approximans Peale, 1848
Nomenclature
-
Family: AccipitridaeGenus: Circus
Species:
Circus approximans Peale, 1848
Usage:
valid
Vernacular names:
Vernacular name:
Swamp Harrier, Australasian/Swamp Harrier
Media
SUMMARY
The Swamp Harrier is a large slim-bodied raptor (bird of prey), with long slender legs and a long tail, rounded at the tip. It is mainly dark brown above and the white rump is prominent. It has an owl-like face mask. The wings are long and broad, with 5 'fingers' on the wing tips in flight. Females are larger with rufous underparts, while the smaller male is lighter underneath. The legs and eyes are yellow. This species has a slow sailing flight on up-swept wings, flying low over water. It is also known as the Marsh Harrier. Usually silent, but gives high pitched descending whistle in breeding display.